We’ve been feeding our morel patch once a week with compostable materials to put nutrients in the soil and encourage the spawn to begin, well, spawning. The directions that came with our morel kit note that it’s important to add fresh stuff that’s not already composted.

*A collection of over 1000 fresh recipes that reflect the way we cook today, to be published fall of 2010. Stay tuned!

Of course the test kitchen also collects compost for the chickens, and we don’t want to deprive them of their greens. So Team Mushroomis collecting foods the girls might not eat. Charred wood, for example, is right out if you’re a hen. But it might be perfect for mushrooms.

We’re hoping that the addition of the burned cedar planks will mimic the forest fire conditions that trigger morel fruitings in nature.

Chopping up the cedar planks took some muscle, but Brianne and I kept at it until everything was in small pieces.

We’ll keep feeding the patch for a couple more months, then wait for the warming spring soil to work its magic.

COMMENTS

Erika

How brilliant to mimic forest fires by adding those charred cedar planks! I can’t wait to see what happens in the spring … which is coming to Sunset soon–our naturalized daffodils started blooming last week.

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Westphoria explores the innovations and lifestyle trends of the 13 Western states, covering food, drink, design, arts and culture, and the dreamers who live here. To contact the editor, westphoria@sunset.com